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description

Object description

image: a monstrous blue bird-like figure hovers over a desolate landscape. Clouds of smoke rise from rocky shapes on the ground. A group of figures cower in terror among the ruins of their homes.

Physical description

Single sheet watercolour/ gouache, hinged onto mount board.

Label

Edward Burra was one of the major British painters of the Twentieth Century. Surreal images of menace had appeared in
his paintings during the Thirties when Europe became the theatre for fascist-communist confrontations. In 'Blue Baby' the menace is personified into a monstrous harpy dispensing punishment and retribution. There is a disturbing visual disjuncture between this almostcartoon-like character (in form, as well as name) and the defenceless, terrified population, reduced to a primitive existence amongst therubble. Elements of the Baby appear to be formed from aircraft parts and the image throws up a dark vision of the inevitable overpowering of society by technology.

Label

Burra was living in Rye when the Luftwaffe attempted to destroy radar stations along the south coast of England during the winter of 1940-41. Rye was part of the radar chain and he described the impact of the bombing both with despair and with a certain relish as patterns of ordered urban life were radically changed.

Label

Edward Burra’s preoccupation with the ugly and macabre in everyday life meant he was well placed to respond to the new frightening reality of the Blitz. Bird-like figures appeared frequently in his work during the 1930s, showing the influence of both Surrealism and earlier painters such as Hieronymus Bosch, whose depictions of the afterlife featured demonic human-animal hybrids. This image of a grotesque female beast above cowering figures evokes a primal sense of terror.

Related content

During the late 1930s, the British government began to prepare the civilian population for war. The Air Raid Wardens Service was set up in 1937. Wardens were responsible for reporting incidents, reassuring the public and providing Air Raid Precautions (ARP) advice.

The 'Blitz' – from the German term Blitzkrieg ('lightning war') – was the sustained campaign of aerial bombing attacks on British towns and cities carried out by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) from September 1940 until May 1941.

The National Health Service was introduced in 1948, giving free healthcare to all. The Family Allowance was established and secondary schools were available for all children over 11. However, there was still great austerity.